Sen. Bernie Sanders on Tuesday defended his support for far-left streamer Hasan Piker amid growing tensions within the Democratic Party over ideological divisions. The exchange came after Sanders endorsed Abdul El-Sayed, who defeated moderate Rep. Haley Stevens in Michigan’s Democratic Senate primary on Wednesday, securing a victory for the party’s progressive wing.
During an interview with CNN’s Abby Phillip, Sanders was asked to choose between Piker and Democratic strategist James Carville, who has criticized the party’s embrace of progressive figures. Sanders responded by stating that if Carville did not want to remain in the same party as Piker, he could "start his own party."
The senator also argued that voters should consider whether they prefer a party aligned with AIPAC or one that opposes the Israeli government under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Sanders suggested that the Democratic Party should maintain a "big tent" approach, welcoming diverse voices like Piker’s.
El-Sayed, who campaigned alongside Piker and appeared on his YouTube channel, won the primary by a narrow margin, marking a shift toward the party’s left flank. The race highlighted ongoing debates over the Democratic Party’s direction ahead of the 2024 elections.
Moderate Democrats, including those affiliated with the think tank Third Way, have warned against embracing what they describe as "extremism," arguing that such positions could weaken the party’s electoral prospects. Third Way told Fox News Digital that Democrats lost power in part due to ideological overreach, though the organization did not specify a direct connection to the Michigan primary.
Carville did not immediately respond to requests for comment.